Baltimore County Council District 2

A: It’s important we look at attracting new residents to our county to help drive up our tax base. We also need to focus on redevelopment that can help attract more business which increases revenue in our county. Fighting for affordable housing will also help boost home ownership and revenue into the county.

A: I would fight for affordable housing and redevelopment of the west side of the county. Making sure that we grow the Liberty road corridor is crucial. We also need to turn Security Square into a prosperous mixed-use development as with what we’ve seen in Owings Mills. I will also advocate for greater incentives to attract businesses to the west side to grow our revenue streams as a county.

A: We should update zoning laws to allow more mixed-use development. Vacant office buildings and struggling shopping centers can be redeveloped into mixed-income housing communities with retail and green space included. We also need a faster, more transparent permitting and inspection process while still maintaining strong environmental and community standards.

A: It’s important that residents feel that their government listens and acts in their interests. It’s why our campaign is the only one in our race that is participating in the public financing system, which means we are not allowed to receive money from corporations or PACS. It’s also why as a councilman I will advocate for reform that allows for greater transparency and participation from our residents.

A: I will always work with my colleagues with an open mind. As someone who would be the 1st Latino to be elected to the council, I understand the need to have various perspectives when engaging in policy.

A: Access to quality grocery stores is the number one issue I’ve heard while canvassing across the district. Residents say they don’t just want any store—they want reliable, high-quality options close to home. Right now, too many families are traveling miles for basic food needs. During the last winter storm, even I had to drive more than 20 miles to find essentials.

Because of that distance, families here are effectively paying more for food than residents in neighboring communities—not just at the register, but in gas, time, and transportation costs. That’s an unfair burden. While the state’s recent study acknowledges this area as a food desert, we cannot wait for reports while residents struggle today. We already have a Walmart Supercenter in the area, which proves there is strong demand. I will work to leverage that investment to expand access—whether through additional formats like a Walmart Neighborhood Market or by attracting new, high-quality retailers. I will also push for targeted incentives, identify viable development sites, and work directly with grocers and developers to bring better options to our community. This is about more than convenience—it’s about health, equity, and making sure every family has access to fresh, affordable food.

A: Rising costs of living are coming up in almost every conversation I’m having with residents. People are working hard, but it’s getting harder to keep up with the cost of housing, food, and everyday essentials. In the short term, we need to provide relief—expanding access to rental assistance and support services to help families stay in their homes. But long term, we must address what’s driving the problem. That means increasing affordable housing and housing that working families can afford; while also improving education outcomes and reducing dropout rates so more people can access stable, good-paying jobs—because without that, affordability will always be a struggle. We also need to bring more opportunity into our communities—jobs that pay a livable wage and workforce training that connects residents to those jobs. For me, this is all connected. If we get housing, education, and economic opportunity right, we don’t just ease the burden—we create a path forward.

A: Baltimore County has already taken important steps to address our housing challenges—but what I’m proposing is about upgrading that policy and making it work better, faster, and more intentionally for our residents. This approach is informed by conversations with residents, housing advocates, and workforce leaders, and what’s clear is that the most effective solutions don’t happen in silos—they connect housing, jobs, and long-term affordability from the start. Right now, we have programs to rehabilitate homes, identify vacant properties, and support development—but those efforts are fragmented. I will bring them together into a clear, accountable system that moves properties from vacant to renovated to owned—by the very people helping to rebuild them. Through a vacant-to-homeownership pipeline, we will pair rehabilitation projects with paid apprenticeship opportunities in the skilled trades—carpentry, electrical, plumbing—so residents can earn while they learn. And where possible, I want those apprentices to have a pathway to purchase the very homes they helped restore. We will also incorporate energy-efficient upgrades aligned with Energy Star standards—because affordability isn’t just about getting into a home, it’s about being able to stay in it.

A: Earning trust from the residents in my district starts with being open about how decisions are made. I’ve built this campaign by showing up and listening—through community conversations, neighborhood meetings, and even barbershop talks—so I understand what residents are really experiencing. But listening isn’t enough. I’m committed to transparency and responsiveness—making sure decisions are clear, accessible, and not happening behind closed doors. I believe in a community-driven approach to problem solving, where input from residents, civic organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, schools, and community leaders helps shape decisions. I will hold regular community meetings to inform, share, and gather feedback, and use all available forms of communication—from social media to direct outreach—to make sure people stay informed and can easily engage. Most importantly, I want to bring back a real sense of community—where people feel heard, involved, and confident their government is working with them.

A: I build consensus by focusing on what unites us—because in Baltimore County, there should be a responsibility to your neighbor. Our decisions don’t happen in a vacuum; they impact every community, every family, and every corner of this County. That means we have to lead with a County-wide perspective. We’re here to serve all residents—not just one area over another—and that requires listening, engaging, and making decisions that reflect our shared responsibility. Different perspectives aren’t a barrier—they’re a strength. They sharpen our thinking and lead to better outcomes. My commitment is to stay at the table, listen with intention, and work toward practical solutions that move us forward. Because when we embrace our responsibility to each other, we don’t just govern—we deliver results that strengthen the entire County.

A: Stopping the Woodlawn data center. Central Woodlawn is no place for an AI data center.

A: Stop spending so much money. The county needs return to its core functions. Cut fees and regulations to save county taxpayers money and facilitate commerce. I believe cuts in both local and property taxes should be goals for the future, but at the present tax incentives may be necessary, and saving and revitalizing Security Square Mall is of the utmost importance. People need good paying jobs including local jobs.

A: I believe there are 2 major problems. First are multi-national corporations and investors buying up property and renting it as subsidized housing. A moratorium on section 8 may be necessary. Second mass immigration has been a problem in recent years. We should be cooperating with federal authorities on this matter, not trying to ignore or obstruct them. Finally, there must be adequate infrastructure in place for new housing.

A: I am a strong believer in transparency. Open meetings laws must be enforced; however confidential information must be protected. I strongly support legislation giving the Inspector General oversight of BCPS and will lobby for this in Annapolis until it becomes law.

A: I can get along with anybody as long as they are honest and kind. But I have dealt with difficult people over my career and even received training on that subject. My neighborhood is about 75 percent minority and my daughter is biracial. Not only is her mother African American, so was my late wife. My extended family also has a diversity of nationalities and denominations.